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Police log: May 18

WBadmin — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:32:06 +0000

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The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit participated in the following investigations:

On May 11, in the 1000 block of L Street, N.W., a complainant reports being the victim of a theft in February. A report was taken.
On May 11, in the 1600 block of New York Avenue, N.E., four complainants report that a suspect entered their hotel room and assaulted them. The suspect was arrested.
On May 9, in the 1400 block of Chapin Street, N.W., a complainant requested assistance with the service of a temporary protection order.
On May 9, in the 800 block of N. Capitol Street, N.W., five suspects were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated into an assault. Two became involved in a verbal altercation over a road rage incident. One suspect used homophobic language toward another. The altercation escalated and they began fighting. The other three suspects exited a vehicle and a fight ensued. During the fight, one suspect sustained a non-life threatening puncture wound. All suspects were arrested on scene.
On May 7, in the 2600 block of Martin Luther King Jr., Avenue, S.E., a complainant reported being assaulted by a suspect the previous night. The two are involved in a domestic relationship.
On May 5, in the 200 block of N Street, S.W., the MPD Seventh District and MPD Sex Crimes Unit responded to an allegation of abuse. The case is being investigated.
On May 4, in the 1400 block of Chapin Street, N.W., a woman reported that another individual used homophobic slurs against her. No criminal activity took place.
On May 4, in the 1900 block of D Street, S.E., a woman reported that a suspect approached her and sexually abused her.
On May 4, in the 1400 block of 23rd Street, N.W., two suspects were engaged in a physical altercation. One suspect physically assaulted the other and while that suspect was attempting to drive away, the other suspect ran over the other person’s legs with the car. The suspects are involved in a domestic relationship. Both were arrested.

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Police Log: May 4

WBadmin — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:43:15 +0000

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The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit participated in the following investigations:

On April 27, in the 1700 block of 14th Street, N.W., a woman reported that she was approached by a suspect who struck her in the face with a closed fist and then attempted to kick her and pulled her hair. The victim reported that she fought back. The suspect fled the scene. A report was taken. The suspect and victim are acquainted.

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Police Log: April 27

WBadmin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:18:08 +0000

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The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit participated in the following investigations:

On April 16 at 10th and Rhode Island Avenue, N.W., two complainants, reported that seven suspects approached them and began throwing rocks at them. The victims said the suspects then began throwing bricks at them and also began hitting them about the body with their arms and feet. The suspects fled the scene and used bias-related words during the assault. All seven were arrested.
On April 1 in the 3100 block of Central Place, N.E., a woman reported that she was approached by a suspect who asked her for a cigarette. The suspect struck up a brief conversation with the victim. The suspect then displayed a revolver and robbed the woman of her property. The suspect used homophobic words during the robbery.

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Marine calls fellow Marine anti-gay slur, stabs him to death near 8th St. barracks

Lou Chibbaro Jr. — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:27:26 +0000

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D.C. police chose not to list as a hate crime an April 21 incident in which one U.S. Marine allegedly stabbed another Marine to death after reportedly calling him an anti-gay slur on a D.C. street, according to a police incident report.

The commander of the D.C. Police Homicide Branch, Lt. Robert Alder, said the department’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit and the police hate crimes coordinator were reviewing information about the case and a hate crime designation could be added to the report sometime later.

Police said the incident took place about 2:30 a.m. on the sidewalk along the 700 block of 8th Street, S.E., across the street from the historic Marine Corps Barracks where the man charged in the killing is stationed.

Michael Joseph Poth, 20, has been charged with second-degree murder while armed for the stabbing death of Marine Lance Cpl. Philip Bushong, 23, police said in a statement released on Saturday.

“Information uncovered during the course of the preliminary investigation indicates that there was a verbal exchange, and during the exchange a homophobic slur was heard from the suspect prior to the stabbing,” the police statement says.

Alder told the Blade on Monday that a Marine guard stationed across the street outside the Marine Barracks witnessed the incident. Police said one or more of the guards apprehended Poth before D.C. police and D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived on the scene.

According to Alder, police investigators are looking for more witnesses who may have heard what Poth and Bushong were arguing about just prior ot the stabbing. He said evidence so far indicates the two did not know each other and likely met for the first time when they crossed paths on the sidewalk on 8th Street minutes before a verbal altercation turned violent.

“From what we know, the argument was not over sexual orientation,” Alder told the Blade. “And I would say at this time the information that we have appears to show that it was an insult in the heat of their argument and did not have anything to do with any perceived sexual orientation,” he said.

The police report says Bushong was taken to the Med Star unit at Washington Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.

The police report, known as the 251 Incident Based Event Report, says the stabbing took place on the sidewalk in front of 727 8th St., S.E., a sporting goods store located two doors away from the Ugly Mug restaurant and bar.

The Washington Post reports that friends of Bushong said Bushong visited the Ugly Mug earlier that night and was a regular customer and former employee of the bar.

The location where Bushong was stabbed is three doors away from the Dignity Center, a building owned by the gay Catholic group Dignity Washington. The site of the stabbing is also located less than a block from the residence of Gen. James F. Amos, the Marine Corps commandant.

“He was a very lighthearted, good young man,” the Post quoted the Ugly Mug’s general manager, Brent McCaslin, as saying of Bushong. “He was an outstanding employee. I never saw him angry. He was always happy,” the Post quoted McCaslin as saying.

Some additional information about the case was expected to emerge at a D.C. Superior Court presentment hearing for Poth scheduled for Monday afternoon.

“Bushong’s friends said Bushong was not gay, nor was he homophobic,” the Post reported.

“You could have called him gay and he wouldn’t have cared,” the Post quoted Nishith Pandya, one of Bushong’s friends, as saying. “He would have laughed,” the paper quoted her as saying.

Assistant D.C. Police Chief Diane Groomes told the Blade in an email that the police report stating the incident was not a hate crime may have been prepared before witnesses were interviewed and additional information became known.

“When things first happen, not all facts are sorted out immediately on the scene,” Groomes said.

Even if the police listed the incident as a hate crime, the final decision on whether to charge Poth with a hate crime is made by the United States Attorney’s office, which prosecutes most cases in the city involving a violent crime.

The city’s hate crimes law calls for charging a person with committing a hate crime if he or she commits a violent act against another person based on the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or several other factors such as race, religion, or ethnicity.

William Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s office, said the office doesn’t comment on pending cases.

Miller declined to say in general whether prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office would charge someone with a hate crime if he or she hurled an anti-gay slur with the intent of insulting a victim whose sexual orientation was unknown or believed to be straight.

“We have veteran prosecutors who review cases to determine if they meet the criteria for hate-crime enhancements,” Miller told the Blade in an email. “We decline to address your specific questions. We can say that we weigh the evidence very carefully in making the charging decisions.”

Zeke Stokes, a spokesperson for the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN), a national LGBT organization that represents gay members of the military, said the group is not aware of an increase in anti-LGBT violence in the military as a result of the recent repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which cleared the way for gays to serve openly in the military.

“All reports from the field are that implementation of DADT repeal is going very well across all services,” Stokes said.

Concerning the murder of Marine Corps member Bushong outside the Marine Barracks in D.C., Stokes said, “We understand that an investigation is underway by the appropriate authorities and it would be premature for SLDN to comment on this homicide until more of the facts are known.”

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Police Log: April 20

WBadmin — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:41:23 +0000

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The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit participated in the following investigations:

On April 9, in the 1600 block of 29th Street, S.E., two complainants were involved in a verbal altercation over being intoxicated. The two are involved in a domestic relationship. No assault took place

On April 9, in the 5200 block of Drake Place, S.E., a complainant reported that a suspect tried to commit an assault stemming from an earlier argument. The victim fled the house and the suspect gave chase. The case was closed with the arrest of the suspect. The victim and suspect reside together.

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Police Log: April 13

WBadmin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:16:19 +0000

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The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit participated in the following investigations:

On April 4 in the 4200 block of Gault Place, N.E., a woman reported that starting in the fall of 2011 a suspect has threatened to kill her and used homophobic slurs toward her. The case remains open.
On April 4, at Chaplin Street & E Street, S.E., a woman reported she was walking at the listed location when suspects approached her from behind and surrounded her. One subject called her a homophobic slur and then she was assaulted. The case remains open.
On April 3 in the 200 block of Adams Street, N.E., two complainants report engaging in a verbal altercation over watching TV. No assault took place. The two are in a domestic relationship and reside together.
On April 3, in the 1200 block of 49th Place, N.E., two complainants report that they were engaged in a verbal altercation over finances. The two reside together. No assault took place.
On April 8, in the 2300 block of R Street, S.E., a woman reported she was involved in a verbal altercation with a suspect, who punched her several times in the face. The suspect was arrested. The two are involved in a domestic relationship.
On April 8, in the 800 block of 46th Street, N.E., a complainant and a suspect were engaged in a verbal altercation that escalated into an assault. The suspect threw a chair at the victim striking her in the face causing minor injuries. The suspect was arrested on scene.
On April 8, in the 1800 block of D Street, N.E., a complainant and a suspect were engaged in an argument. The suspect left the location and returned with a handgun and fired a shot and was arrested.

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Police Log: April 5

WBadmin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:20:35 +0000

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The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit participated in the following investigations:

On March 30, in the 2100 block of New Hampshire Avenue, N.W., a man reported he was involved in an argument with a suspect over keys to an apartment. The argument escalated and the suspect punched the victim in the face. The man refused medical treatment. The suspect fled the scene prior to MPD arrival. The two are involved in a domestic relationship.
On March 30, members of the GLLU attended an LGBT community group award ceremony.
On March 30, in the 1700 block of Gales Street, N.E., a bias incident report was taken after racial threats and slurs were found written inside of a port-a-potty.
On March 29, members of the GLLU attended a community safety forum at Georgetown University.
On March 27, in the 3000 block of 9th Street, S.E., a complainant and a suspect were involved in a verbal altercation over the victim’s watching a television program. The suspect began to verbally abuse the victim by calling him homophobic slurs and pushed the victim into a glass window. The suspect was arrested.
On March 23, in the 2000 block of Maryland Avenue, N.W., two complainants, were engaged in a verbal altercation over alleged infidelity. No offense took place. The two are involved in a domestic relationship.
On March 22 in the 2100 block of Twinning Court N.W., a man reported that while he was at a local nightclub, he was assaulted by a suspect, who hit him in the face with an unknown object causing a laceration. The man went to a local hospital for treatment. A report was taken.
On March 22, in the 2700 block of Langston Place, S.E., a complainant reported that a suspect threatened to kill the complainant and used homophobic slurs. A report was taken.
On March 22, GLLU members assisted on a search warrant that was conducted in the 3800 block of 2nd Street, S.E.
On March 8 in the 1000 block of Independence Avenue, S.W., a man reported that he walked into a fitness center and asked the suspect a question about a client. The suspect used homophobic slurs toward him and then threatened to harm him.

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Woman charged in IHOP shooting of gay man

Lou Chibbaro Jr. — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:14:33 +0000

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D.C. police on Monday arrested a 27-year-old woman in connection with the March 11 shooting of a gay man at the International House of Pancakes restaurant in Columbia Heights that police listed as an anti-gay hate crime.

At a news conference Monday afternoon, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and Police Chief Cathy Lanier announced that police charged LaShawn Yvonne Carson with aggravated assault while armed.

D.C. Superior Court records show that Carson appeared at a presentment hearing on Monday shortly before the news conference. Court records show that Judge Diana Harris Epps ordered Carson held without bond pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday.

“I am pleased and relieved to announce that a suspect in this dastardly crime has been arrested,” Gray said in a statement released at the news conference.

“As I said at the time of the shooting, while all crime is horrific and destructive to the fabric of our community, hate crimes are particularly insidious because they instill fear in an entire group,” he said. All of our residents should have the right to walk the streets of our neighborhoods free of fear that they will be targeted because of their identities beliefs or characteristics.”

Lanier said at the news conference that although police classified the shooting as a bias crime related to the victim’s sexual orientation, it would be up to the United States Attorney’s Office to decide whether to add a bias related designation to the charge of aggravated assault while armed.

Matt Jones, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s office, said Tuesday that prosecutors with the office don’t make a decision on whether to designate a case as a hate crime until it comes before a grand jury further along in the prosecution.

“Our investigation in the case is onging,” he said. “That is not something we normally charge at this point.”

Under the D.C. hate crimes law, those convicted of a hate designated crime of violence are subjected to a greater penalty, including additional time served in prison.

“This is an enormous relief,” said D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), in commenting on the arrest. Graham, who’s gay and who spoke at the news conference, called the shooting “an insane act” that created an atmosphere of fear in the community.

“To shoot somebody at breakfast in a public restaurant over a perceived slight is insane behavior by any standard,” he said “So this is a great relief for the community that I represent,” said Graham, noting that the IHOP restaurant is located in his ward.

Police said the 31-year-old male victim in the shooting reportedly had been subjected to anti-gay name calling. The victim’s cousin, who was present during the incident, told the Blade that a scuffle broke out near the entrance of the restaurant when the woman and two male friends blocked the victim’s path when he got up to pay the bill. Police said witnesses saw a scuffle break out and heard the firing of a gun.

Assistant Police Chief Peter Newsham said last week that the incident may have been captured on a video surveillance system at the restaurant.

Police said the victim had been treated in a hospital for a non-life threatening gunshot wound.

The shooting took place one day before two other incidents of anti-LGBT violence surfaced in the city. A 29-year-old gay man was badly beaten and robbed a short distance away at Georgia Avenue and Irving Streets, N.W. about 9:30 p.m. on March 12. Police and the victim’s partner said attackers called the victim anti-gay names.

Police listed the incident as an anti-gay hate crime

At about 11:45 p.m. that same day, a transgender woman was knocked unconscious at West Virginia Avenue and Mt. Olivet Road, N.E. by at least two assailants, police said. Police said the woman was unable to hear whether the attackers used anti-trans language during the attack and have insufficient evidence so far to list the incident as a hate crime.

The three incidents prompted friends of the 29-year-old victim to organize a march through the streets of Columbia Heights and other parts of the city last week to draw attention to anti-LGBT violence. Close to 700 people turned out for the event.

“I would like to thank the mayor, chief of police and the MPD for the swift response and arrest of a suspect in the heinous shooting of a member of the LGBT community at the IHOP in Columbia Heights,” said gay activist Peter Rosenstein. “No one, no matter what their cultural background, color or sexual orientation should feel unsafe in our community.”

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Police log: March 23

Staff reports — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 02:12:59 +0000

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The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit was involved in the following investigations:

On March 18 at 18th and Columbia Road, N.W., a man reported that he was walking with friends when unknown individuals started yelling homophobic remarks at them. A report was taken.
On March 17 in the unit block of Girard Street, N.E., a woman reported to the police that while about to enter her residence she was approached by a suspect who punched her and fled the area prior to the arrival of police. The victim said that she was assaulted because of her sexual orientation/gender identity.
On March 17 in the 3400 block of 22nd Street, S.E., a woman reported hearing subjects outside her window having a verbal altercation. During that altercation homophobic language was used. A short time later the woman’s window was shattered in an unknown manner.

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Police log: March 16

WBadmin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:52:13 +0000

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The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit participated in the following investigations:

On March 12 in the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, N.E., a woman reported she and a companion were approached by a suspect who threatened to assault them. The suspect followed them and they flagged down officers who arrested the suspect.
On March 12 in the 3100 block of Georgia Avenue, N.W., a complainant was assaulted and robbed by unknown suspects. The suspects reportedly used homophobic slurs toward the victim during the assault. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
On March 12 at Mt. Olivet Road and West Virginia Avenue, N.W., a complainant was assaulted by two suspects who fled the scene. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
On March 11 at 14th and Irving streets, N.W., a complainant was called homophobic slurs by a suspect. The suspect then assaulted the victim. During the assault, the victim was shot and taken to a local hospital for treatment.
On March 10 in the Unit block of Snow Court, N.W., a complainant reported that after a brief exchange of words with a suspect, the suspect struck the victim in the face with a closed fist then left the scene.
On March 9 in the 400 block of 37th Place, S.E., two complainants reported being in a verbal argument. No assault took place. The two are in a domestic relationship.

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